The Soundtrack of My Life

They say that the life of a person can be told by what music they have listened to, songs which sing of loss and success, pain and jubilation, memories and ambition, places they have been and places they’ve yet to visit. For as long as history can remember music has been used to convey stories, to inspire people, and to carry people through hard times. It doesn’t matter whether it is the spoken epics of Vergil, the Viking Sagas, or the songs of war times truly each song (the ones that have a soul) tells a story.

Having gotten that brief but adequate introduction out of the way I present to you some of the songs which I feel resonate with me the most, the songs which speak volumes about my life and experiences. Pay particular attention to the lyrics of these songs and you might be able to piece together a picture of what kind of man I am.

Ozzy Osbourne – Fire in the SkyThere’s a good chance that Ozzy has a song in most people’s hearts but Fire in the Sky resonates strongly with me for a very good reason. As far I can interpret this rock ballad tells the story of a pretender “who hid his feelings in walls he imagined” being found out and accepting who he really is. I’ve spent much of my life thus far having to put on a mask to fit in wherever I have gone and there was only so long I could have kept that up for. My interests, hobbies, and mannerisms these days might seem out-of-place, shaped by a unique upbringing, but hell… it’s me!

Gary Numan – Walking with ShadowsI first got into Gary Numan’s unique sound when I went through my parents CD collection and found a copy of 2000’s Pure there. Shortly after I found this artist my father had to leave New Zealand for a year to work overseas, and this album always reminded me of him during that time – helping me through a rough year. Numan’s work also holds the honor of being one of the few sounds that my brother and I both admire. Walking with Shadows in particular holds a special place in my heart because it is a song I used as ambient noise during revising for my NCEA examinations.
If you’ve never heard Gary Numan’s songs listen to the link provided and see what you think, it’s really something.

Judas Priest – Electric EyeI discovered Judas Priest through a friend shortly after I returned to the UK for a second time and have kicked myself ever since for not getting into their music sooner. Shortly after I got back to the UK I found myself working full-time as a dental nurse (not the most masculine job I know but that doesn’t bother me) learning a skill first hand whilst studying through Open University to try get into the University of Exeter. For the first time in years I genuinely felt good about myself: independent, determined, focused, with goals in mind and the impetus to achieve them. The fast paced metal of Judas Priest, embodied in Electric Eye, to this day reminds me of those times and inspires me by reminding me what I can achieve when I set myself to something.

The Feelers – DasvidaniyaThis is an interesting one, how does this little known New Zealand band merit a place here? I myself must have completely missed their existence during my stay in New Zealand because I only first heard of them during a holiday in Italy with my father who happened to have Hope Nature Forgives on his IPod. This holiday was a special one because it was a trip I had been meaning to go on for the longest time, ever since I studied Ancient Rome back in high school, and that it was just me and my father. It was also an important moment for me because I knew then that it would be the last holiday I would go on for a while as I was due to start a three/four year course at the University of Exeter where I had just been accepted.Dasvidaniya is a genuine feel-good song despite it’s theme of overcoming the death of a loved one, something else I came dangerously close to experiencing myself. However, there is one other New Zealand group who sits atop my musical throne…

Crowded House – Weather With YouThis is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best song I have heard so far in my life. Weather With You by the New Zealand group Crowded House is not only a cultural gem in Aotearoa but it is also a song which underlines the main theme of my life, traveling… At least that’s how I interpret it. Not only is the song phenomenally good in it’s own right it is found in an absolutely stunning album called Woodface. When asked about the meaning of the song Tim & Neill Finn, the group’s founders, said “Weather With You is about the effect a person has on their surroundings by the type of person they are, whether it be good orbad“. My family has lived in so many places never really having had long-term plans to stay rooted to one spot but still I tried my best to keep upbeat about it all in the face of adversity. I’ve always taken my good weather with me, I’ve always taken my good family with me, and I’d like to think I’ve had a good effect on those I’ve met in my travels – many of whom I’m still in touch with today thanks to social media.Crowded House – Weather With You: Song of my Life!

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One comment

I don’t even know where to start so I apologize if this comment makes no structural sense. Firstly, I must admit you have good taste in music (I’m a tough critic).

I’ve always glossed over Osbourne’s creations (I heard he ate the head off a bat or something) but I kind of regret doing that now. “Walking With Shadows” would have been on my study playlist had I been aware of it’s existence. It would have been a perfect fit! Sadly, it’s about a year too late which means I’ll just have to add it to my genre station on Pandora… *sigh* As for Judas Priest, another one I glossed over but probably shouldn’t have. Perhaps I’ll add this to my Pandora specifically, because I have a feeling my boss would love it. I absolutely love “Dasvidaniya”… That one I’m bookmarking for sure. I love the sound, but the lyrics… wow. And finally… I totally know and love “Weather With You”. I listened to it a lot growing up (and they play it on the weather channel every so often) but completely forgot about it until now. But I heard the opening and remembered the chorus, so I’m proud of myself! I won’t lose track of it again.

Now, about the brilliant commentary: Please own your differences with pride, life is so painfully dismal without interesting people. Although, props to you for being able to fit in. I never was successful. *sigh* My Dad had to go away for business for a month one time when I was about 9 and I hated it. He missed my birthday on top of that, which (as a 9 year old girl) I was not happy about. I couldn’t imagine being away from him for an entire year… that must have taken a lot of strength and a lot of love, and I think you should be proud of that too. Now, I suggest you amend that title to Dental Assistant. If you prefer to keep it as it is, remember that it’s a pretty awesome job (at least here in America). Also, seeing as I read your papers from the mentioned university, I’d say it was a pretty smart choice. Especially if you got to wear scrubs. I love wearing my scrubs because they are like socially acceptable PJ’s. As for your travelling adventures, I was about to sigh and state my jealousy over your Italian exploits, but I’ve been touring convivencia sites for a week. Perhaps I’ll just make my next trip Rome based. Finally, I can’t really relate to the last part. I’ve lived in one place all my life (and I’ve learned through travelling that I want it to always be my home). I’ve met many fascinating people, but under different circumstances. One can’t argue with the message of the song though… it’s completely true. I’ll spare you my philosophical babble (it’s about 2:00 here in Spain, too late for that crap anyway), but our small actions make a huge difference.

This is a fantastic post… It was well thought out, brilliantly executed, and extremely interesting. Plus, like I said, you have good taste in music. 🙂